MINEHEAD went down to their fourth successive defeat in the first division of the Uhlsport Somerset County Football League when they lost 3-1 at home to Winscombe.

Having won at Winscombe on the first day of the season, the Blues were looking for their first league double, but after a goal-less first half, it was the visitors who claimed all three points during the second forty-five minutes

.Minehead could have taken the lead in the first few exchanges, when teenage striker Fin Haran’s direct run through the heart of Winscombe’s defence saw him dribble past three players and create a one-on-one opportunity for himself with only the Winscombe keeper Regan D’Arcy to beat. Then, with the goal pretty well at his mercy, he seemed to unselfishly pass towards his supporting team-mate Guy Burns. Whether intended as a pass or a shot, the ball hit the goalpost before going behind for a goal-kick.

An end-to-end blustery wind made controlling the flight of the ball difficult, and the rock-hard pitch further exasperated the situation. Winscombe, playing with their backs to the wind, attacked consistently throughout the first half, keeping Minehead’s defenders busy, with Sebastian Williams proving to be their dangerman. Though still looking second best, Minehead did have further attempts on goal during the first half; Sam Jackson’s shot brought a good save from D’Arcy, and Olly Prescott caused the Keynsham defenders some problems including a shot which D’Arcy palmed onto the crossbar, and Burns, after a weaving dribble, saw D’arcy tip his rising right footed effort over the bar.

With the home fans expecting their side to have more of the play with the wind at their backs in the second half, that belief started to diminish four minutes into the half when a looping cross was competently headed home by Williams to open the scoring. Soon afterwards Minehead clawed level when Burns scored with a right footed shot from a pass by Haran.

Keynsham’s Williams continued to be the dangerman, and made good use of his physicality when he bustled past the Blues defence and shot home to put his side back in front.

Minehead’s play started to become disjointed and Keynsham’s centre forward Robert Harraway sealed the result by curling the ball home from a direct free kick just outside the box, four minutes from the end of normal time.

Though plenty of injury time was played, no further goals were scored.

Minehead should not be too despondent; all four teams who have beaten them this season are now within the top seven clubs in the table, including Winscombe even though Minehead have already beaten them.

Minehead: Greg Turner, Bertie Harvey-Larmar, Toby Morris, Louis Burge, JJ Knight, Will Singleton-Voss, Sam Jackson, Andy Hall, Guy Burns, Fin Harran, Olly PrescottSubs: Toby Waghorn, Felix Faun, Luke Bloys (all used). Man of the Match: Fin Haran.

Minehead’s next match is at home to Keynsham Town Reserves, a game Minehead will be more desperate to win to break their recent run of defeats. The visitors, who have also started the season slowly, are currently one place away from the bottom of the table, having not yet won a game. Minehead will start the game with two points more but will be leap-frogged by Keynsham if they are beaten.

BRIAN WALDER